Fresh warning for Clare people as Storm Frank brings high winds, rain and tides – flow also increased on Parteen Weir

Clare people have been advised to batten down the hatches and avoid any unnecessary travel tonight high seas, heavy rain and high winds will make life difficult right across the county. The Clare Emergency Coordination Group, which comprises of Clare County Council, Clare County Fire & Rescue Service, Clare Civil Defence, HSE and An Garda Síochána, has advising members of the public against all unnecessary travel overnight tonight due to forecast severe weather. Land, home and business owners, particularly those in low lying coastal areas and flood prone locations, are being advised to take precautionary steps in light of the heightened flood risk posed by a combination of strong gale to storm force winds, a large sea swell, High Tides and already saturated ground. Between 20 and 30mm of rainfall was recorded across County Clare during Monday with a further 25 to 35mm forecast by Met Eireann from Tuesday afternoon until late Wednesday morning. Clare County Council says standard operating and response procedures are in place in the event of flooding incidents occurring. An out-of-hours emergency number (087 4169496) is in operation to deal with requests for assistance from the public in relation to incidences of flooding. Clare County Council says a dedicated Emergency Helpline will be established should there be an escalation in the number of calls received. Clare County Council has confirmed that it is once again being assisted by the Defence Forces at Springfield, Clonlara, located along the banks of the Lower River Shannon, in its ongoing pumping operations and transportation of residents to and from homes isolated by floodwaters. Meanwhile, the Council has received confirmation from the ESB that the spill rate at Parteen Weir is being increased from 405 cubic metres per second to 440 cumecs during today. The Council says water levels along the Lower River Shannon have risen considerably in recent days and further water level increases are anticipated. Flooding advice is available on www.flooding.ie.

Andrew has been working in the media in the West of Ireland for more than a decade. During that time he has been shortlisted for many national journalism awards, served as a judge for the Choice Music Prize in 2008 and was part of the nominating panel for the Meteor Ireland Music Awards from 2008 to 2011. He holds an MA in Journalism and Public Relation and a BA in English, Sociology and Politics.
He is currently working on his debut novel. A selection of his writings, including a number of short stories can be viewed on Where The Rain Falls at https://wheretherainfallslifeemerges.blogspot.com/
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